The proposed bill establishes the role of an independent prosecutor within the Washington governor's office, specifically tasked with reviewing cases of deadly force by law enforcement that result in death. This independent prosecutor, appointed by the governor, must be a licensed attorney with a clean record regarding dishonesty and discrimination. The prosecutor will have the authority to initiate prosecutions in these cases, working alongside county prosecuting attorneys, and will bear the costs associated with prosecution, excluding defense costs. The bill also details the independent prosecutor's responsibilities, including conducting investigations, determining whether to file charges, and submitting annual reports to the legislature on investigation outcomes.

Furthermore, the bill mandates that investigations into deadly force incidents must be conducted independently from the involved agency, following guidelines established in chapter 43.102 RCW. It requires that any entity conducting these investigations provide their findings to both the prosecutorial decision-making body and the newly established independent prosecutor. The bill also introduces new sections to chapter 43.06 RCW, enhancing the legal framework for accountability and oversight of peace officers in deadly force cases, while clarifying the collaborative responsibilities of county prosecuting attorneys in relation to the independent prosecutor.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 9A.04.110, 43.102.030, 43.102.050, 43.102.060, 43.102.080, 43.102.130, 43.10.090
Substitute Bill: 36.27.020, 43.102.050, 10.114.011